Well drilling rotary



Oct. 20, 1942. A. R. MAIER ETAL 4 WELL DRILLING ROTARY Filed Sept. 12, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1720022107193. #06057 E. Mfl/EE 40/ J0//A/ M ////WE/,

Oct. 20, 1942. R MA|ER ETAL 2 ,299,549

WELL DRILLING ROTARY Filed Sept. 12, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 172097110751 44/61/57- 6. Mam? m4 .fa/m M @fi/MEE Q4 6 My fid/kflxn g A. R. MAIER ETAL WELL DRILLING ROTARY Filed Sept 12 1940 Oct. 20, 1942.

Patented Oct. 20, 1942 WELL DRILLING ROTARY August R. Maier and John M. Shimer, Dallas, Tex., assignors to Oil Well Supply Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 12, 1940, Serial No. 356,533

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in well drilling rotaries and more particularly to improvements in a high speed rotary.

Our invention has in view to provide a forced lubrication system or means for such a rotary capable of adequately supplying lubricant to the moving parts of the rotary.

The invention further contemplates incorporating such a forced lubrication with a splash or bath lubricating system to insure proper lubrication under any and all conditions of operation.

We also provide our improved lubricating means constructed in and driven by the rotary structure whereby to provide a self-contained unitary device.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a well drilling rotary embodying our invention, said section being taken on the broken line I--I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed fragmentary sectional views taken on the lines IV-IV and VV of Fig. 1, respectively; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic horizontal sectional view illustrating the lubrication of the rotary in the manner of our invention.

In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of our invention, the rotary table 2 is rotatably supported on the base 3, as by means of a main bearing 4, said table having a central depending annular portion 5 and a terminal ring or flange 6 mounting a hold-down bearing or bushing I, the latter engaging a coacting annular wall or portion 8 of the base 3.

The bearings 4 and I and the depending portion 5 of the table are enclosed within an upright housing 9 comprising an integral extension of the base proper 3, said housing and the periphery of the table having coacting annular portions providing a suitable labyrinth oil seal, generally designated ID, the construction of which is fully set forth in our companion application of even date, Serial Number 356,532, new Patent No. 2,254,183, dated August 26, 1941.

Extending laterally at one side of the table 2 and the housing 9, the base 3 is provided with a pinion shaft housing I2 for mounting a pinion shaft I3 having a pinion gear I4 thereon for engaging and driving the table 2 by its ring gear I5. The housing I2 is separated from the table housing 9 by an intervening partition ,wall I3, which wall, together with the spaced end wall ll of the housing I2, is horizontally bored to receive a bearing cage I8.

Said bearing cage I8 mounts and encloses pinion shaft thrust bearings I9 and roller bearing in spaced relation, and the said bearings, pinion shaft I 3, pinion I4 and cage I8 may be assembled and positioned in the bore of the housing I2 as a unit.

driving the rotary from a suitable power source, not shown.

For the purpose of mounting and enclosing portions of our lubrication system within the rotary structure, we provide the interior of the pinion shaft housing I2 of suflicient volume and proportions to permit the introduction and assembly of lubricating means therein. Likewise, the said housing is provided with a top access opening closed by a removable cover 22 and a side opening closed by a removable member 23.

The lower portion of the interior of the shaft housing I2 forms a lubricant sump or reservoir 24, and contains a lubricant pump 25, said pump being supported adjacent the pinion shaft I3 as by means of a bracket 26 carried by the closure member 23 at one side of the housing I2. The intake side of the pump is connected with the sump 24 through a submerged strainer 21 also preferably supported by the bracket 26. (See Fig. 3.)

The cage I8 for mounting shaft I3 is preferably of skeleton form, having openings 28 and 'ribs or portions 29 disposed between those end portions of the cage mounting and enclosing the bearings I9 and 20, and a pump gear 30 is extended through one of said openings 28 to mesh with a gear 3I secured to the pinion shaft I3 for driving the pump while the rotary is being driven from its source of power. The openings 28 around the cage I8 further aid in the assembly and inspection of the pump and its driving connection from the access opening closed by cover 22 on the top of the shaft housing I2.

The outlet or discharge side of the pump 25 is connected to a distributing conduit 32 having branch lines or conduits 33 and 34. A fluid pressure gage 35 may be connected in the line 32 as shown, and is preferably mounted upon the closure member 23 of the shaft housing I2 in such a manner as to provide a visual indication externally of the rotary, whereby the operator may 2I designates a sprocket secured. V to the outer terminal of the pinion shaft I3 for.

observe the pressure of the lubrication system.

It will be seen that the pump, pressure gage, strainer, and their connections may be assembled as a unit with closure member and its bracket 26, whereby the same may be readily applied to or removed from the rotary, either for assembly or repair purposes.

Branch oil line or conduit 33 extends over the bearing cage l8 and is further divided into lines 355 and 3'! respectively supplying lubricant to the pinion shaft bearings and the table 2. The line or conduit 36 is connected with both pinion shaft bearings I9 and 23 in any suitable manner.

For example, we prefer to provide a fluid passage or conduit 38 formed in one of the ribs or portions 29 of the cage 88 and extending between said bearings, said passage being connected intermediate its length with the line 25 through a check valve 39, permitting flow of lubricant from line 35 to the bearings is and 29 through passage 38 and suitable ports or passages ii) leading to the respective bearings through the cage l8 and the bearing mounts. ii designates a pressure relief valve for the system of conduits.

Line or conduit 3'! passes through the partition wall it through provided openings therein and has an inclined portion 42 disposed above and over the pinion gear it, said portion d2 being perforated for jetting lubricant toward the zone of meshing of said gear and the table gear [5. The terminal of conduit portion 42 is provided with an orifice which is disposed over the race of table bearing 4 for delivering lubricant thereto. Any suitable means may be provided for securing said terminal in proper relation to said bearing. The size of the perforations and orifice in the conduit portion is preferably small enough to insure a positive delivery of lubricant to the branch conduit 35 and hence to the pinion shaft bearings 19 and 29.

Branch line 34 likewise extends through the partition wall it and is disposed for delivery of lubricant to the hold-down bearing l of the table 2. Suitable conduits may be employed therefor, but we prefer to provide integral fluid passages 8-3 and M drilled in the housing portion 8 and terminating in an annular passage 25 about the bearing 2!, said bearing having radial ports M in communication with said annular passage and with an annular passage or oil groove 41 in the inner face of the bearing to lubricate the rotation of the table extension 5 thereon.

In operation, the pump 25 supplies the system of conduits described to deliver a pressure supply of lubricant from the sump 2a to the pinion shaft bearings l9 and 2% the pinion and table gears It and E5, the hold-down bearing 1, and the main table bearing i. The pressure feed of the lubricant is supplied in direct proportion to the speed and therefore to the lubrication requirements of the rotary by directly driving the pump from the pinion shaft in the manner stated.

The lubricant from the bearings l9 and 26 is returned directly by gravity to the sump 2a through overflow ports .3 in the cage it adjacent each of said bearings. Lubricant from pinion gear l i is received in a well 59 therebelow between the partition wall it and the table housing portion 8, said well d9 being in communication with the supply reservoir by ports 53 in the lower portion of the said partition wall.

Lubricant delivered to the main table bearing 4 from conduit portion 22 flows into an annular groove 5i inwardly of the bearing in the housing portion 8, from whence said lubricant passes outwardly through radial passages 52 (see Figs. 2 and 6) and into a settling reservoir or pocket 53 formed in the base 3.

The settling pocket 53 is substantially concentrio with and below the table ring gear l5 and is of horseshoe shape, having its spaced ends extending toward the sump 2t and being separated therefrom by dams 5d. at opposite sides of the rotary base, said dams being elevated with respect to the pocket 53 whereby the settlings are retained in pocket and the clear lubricant flows over the dams to the sump. designates openings in the partition wall above the dams 54 to permit the said return. flow of lubricant to the sump.

The lubricant from the hold-down bearing '5 likewise returns to the sump 24 by way of the settling pocket said lubricant first being gathered in an annular well 55 surrounding the bottom of the table portion 5. Said well 55 is formed by the wall 8 of the rotary housing and an upstanding annular iiange 57 formed on the member E, which flange has an overturned terminal lip 58. The oil in the well 56 is subjected to the rotation of the table 2 and is moved up and over the lip 58 to fall by gravity into the settling pocket 53.

A supply of lubricant is introduced into the rotary base in any suitable manner, as by a filling opening 59 at one end of the base 3, the proper level of the lubricant being gaged as by a bayonet gage (it. The lubricant is thereby initially supplied throughout the rotary and its pockets and sumps or wells for employment thereof in the forced or pressure lubrication system described. Drain plugs 8i may be provided in the pocket 53 and well 39 for removal of the lubricant where desired.

Our invention further provides additional lubrication means in conjunction with the pressure system described, whereby the rotary and its parts may be lubricated under all conditions encountered in practice. Thus, the disposition and arrangement of the settling pocke 53, the well 49 and sump 24 provide a splash or bath system of lubrication operable in addition to the present system, or separately in the event that the pressure system becomes inoperative.

The depth of the lubricant may be such as to immerse the lower portion of the pinion gear M in the well 69, whereupon a continuous delivery of oil is had to the table gear 55 and therefrom to the main table bearing 4 and hold-down bearing 7 by gravity. The lubricant thus bathes the wearing surfaces of the table falls into the settling pocket ultimately returning to the sump Z4, and well it, the latter communicating with the sump by ports 59.

We prefer to substantially enclose the periphery of the pinion It to prevent excessive splashing of lubricant against the table and the seal 20, and therefore provide embracing side walls or splash guards (i2 about said gear. Also, a wiper 63 may be provided for engaging the rear face of gear it to prevent further pressure accumulation by the lubricant carried by said gear, and pressure relief ports (it may be provided through the partition wall it behind the upper portion of the gear, through which ports excess lubricant may escape to the sump E i.

Further lubrication of the pinion shaft bearings l9 and 20 may be provided by extending the passage 38 to the outermost end of the cage l8 and providing the same with a lubricant fitting or nipple 65 through which grease may be supplied to the said bearings as by a grease gun. The check valve 39 prevents a flow of grease into the tubes of the pressure system. Also, the overflow ports 48 may be of small area so as to prevent a free escape of the grease from the shaft bearings.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that we have provided a complete and positive lubrication system which is capable of maintaining lubrication during operation of the rotary at the various speed requirements encountered in practice. For example, our lubrication system has been found to be entirely adequate for rotary speeds of from 500 to 1000 R. P. M. Further, in

the event that the rotary is to be operated at slower speeds or in the event that the pressure lubricant means becomes inoperative, the rotary may be continued in operation and under such condition is satisfactorily lubricated by the splash and bath system, together with the provision for greasing the pinion shaft bearings.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A well drilling rotary including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, means for driving the table including a shaft geared to the table,

a housing enclosing the driving means and having a lubricant sump therein, a bearing for the shaft enclosed within the housing, a lubricant pump in said sump driven from said shaft, conduits supplying lubricant from the pump to the table mounting and to the table-driving means including a conduit to the bearing, said bearing conduit extending in the housing for connection with an external source of lubrication, and a check valve in said conduit between the pump and bearing preventing a flow of the externally applied lubricant to the pump.

2. A well drilling rotary including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, a gear on the table and a pinion therefor, said base including a housing enclosing the table mounting, gear and pinion, a pinion shaft, bearings supporting the shaft, a housing enclosing said pinion shaft and bearings, said shaft housing having a lubricant sump therein, the base having a lubricant well therein beneath the pinion having fluid communication with the sump, a lubricant pump mounted in the sump having driving connection with the pinion shaft, conduits supplying lubricant from the pump to the table mounting, table gear and pinion, and to the pinion shaft bearings, lubricant splash guards disposed on opposite sides of the periphery of the pinion, said base having a lubricant settling pocket below the table gear and mounting for receiving the gravity flow of lubricant therefrom, the base having a lubricant passage therein connecting the pocket and sump for return flow of lubricant to the latter, by-passing the lubricant well for the pinion, and an elevated dam in the base associated with the passage for controlling the said return flow of lubricant from the pocket to said sump.

3. A well drilling rotary including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, a gear on the table and a pinion therefor, said base including a housing enclosing the table mounting, gear and pinion, a pinion shaft, bearings supporting the shaft, a housing enclosing said piston shaft and bearings, said shaft housing having a lubricant sump therein, the base having a lubricant well therein beneath the pinion having fluid communication with the sump, a lubricant pump mounted in the sump having driving connection with the pinion shaft, conduits supplying lubricant from the pump to the table mounting, table gear and pinion, and to the pinion shaft bear-' ings, lubricant splash guards disposed on opposite sides of the periphery of the pinion, said base having a lubricant settling pocket below the table gear and mounting for receiving the gravity flow of lubricant therefrom, said settling pocket being of horseshoe shape and having its spaced terminals disposed adjacent the sump, said splash guards extending and preventing lubricant flow between the pocket and well, the base having fluid passages therein communicating with the sump, and means in the base between the settling pocket terminals and the passages controlling the return flow of lubricant from the pocket to the sump.

4. A well drilling rotary including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, said base including a housing enclosing the table mounting, means for driving the table including a shaft and pinion geared to the table, a second housing enclosing the driving means and having a lubricant sump therein, a lubricant pump in the sump driven from the shaft, conduits supplying lubricantfro-m the pump to the table mounting and pinion, said base having a lubricant well at least partially enclosing the pinion receiving the lubricant supplied thereto by the pump and in lubricant communication with the sump, and said base having a settling pocket disposed to receive a return flow of lubricant from the table and its mounting, said pocket having communication with'the sump and by-passing the well for separate return flow from the pocket to the sump.

5. A well drilling rotar including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, said base including a housing enclosing the table mounting, said base also having a lubricant settling pocket therein below the table disposed to receive a gravity flow of lubricant therefrom, a pinion for driving the table, a second housing having a lubricant sump therein, one of said housings having a lubricant well supplying lubricant to the pinion, said well being in communication with the sump for a flow of lubricant from the latter to said well, said sump being separated from the table housing by a partition wall, means preventing a flow of lubricant from the pocket to the well, said partition wall having an opening laterally beyond the well connecting the sump and pocket for lubricant flow from the pocket to the sump, by-passing said well, means adjacent said passage for controlling the said flow from the pocket, and means supplying a pressure flow of lubricant from the sump to the table mounting and pinion.

6. A well drilling rotary including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, said base including a housing enclosing the table mounting,

' said base also having a lubricant settling pocket therein disposed to receive a gravity flow of lubricant from the table and its mounting, a second housing having a lubricant sump therein, a pinion geared to the table intermediate the sump and pocket, means supplying lubricant under pressure from the sump to the tabl mounting and pinion, said base having a lubricant well beneath the pinion out of lubricant communication with the pocket and receiving the lubricant supplied to the pinion, said well being in communication with the sump for return of said lubricant to the latter, and means in the base permitting and controlling a return flow of lubricant from the pocket laterally beyond and out of lubricant com munication with the Well.

7. A well drilling rotar including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, said base including a housing enclosing the table mounting, said base also having a lubricant settling pocket therein disposed to receive a gravity flow of lubricant from the table and its mounting, a second housing having a lubricant sump therein, a pinion geared to the table intermediate the sump and pocket, means supplying lubricant under pressure from the sump to the table mounting and pinion, said base having a lubricant well beneath the pinion out of lubricant communication with the pocket and receiving the lubricant supplied to the pinion, said well being in communication With the sump for return of said lubricant to the latter, said pocket being in the form of a horseshoe having the ends thereof terminating laterally on oppositesides of and out of lubricant communication with the well, and a partition therein disposed to receive a gravity flow of lubricant from the table and its mounting, a second housing having a lubricant sump therein, a pinion geared to the table intermediate the sump and pocket, means supplying lubricant under pressure from the sump to the table mounting and pinion, said base having a lubricant Well beneath the pinion out of lubricant communication with the pocket and receiving the lubricant supplied to aeeasae the pinion, said well being in communication with the sump for return of said lubricant to the latter, said pocket being in the form of ahorseshoe having the ends thereof terminating laterally on opposite sides of and out of lubricant communication with the well, and a partition wall between the housings having lubricant passages adjacent the ends of the pocket in lubricant communication with the pocket and sump for return flow of lubricant to the latter from the sump, said base having means between the ends of the pocket and sump controlling said return flow of lubricant from the pocket.

9. A Well drilling rotary including a base, a table rotatably mounted thereon, said base includi lg a housing enclosing the table mounting, said base also having. a lubricant settling pocket therein disposed to receive a gravity flow of lubricant from the table and its mounting, a second housing having a lubricant sump and access openings therein, a pinion geared to the table intermediate the sump and pocket, cover plates for said openings to maintain a lubricant-tight housing, independently removable pressure lubrieating means mounted on one of said cover plates and enclosed within the housing and having fluid connections with the sump, means for driving the pinion, said lubricating means being driven by said pinion driving means, conduits supplying lubricant from said lubricating means to the table mountin and to the pinion driving means, said base having a lubricant well beneath the pinion out of lubricant communication with the pocket and receiving the lubricant supplied to the pinion, said well being in communication with the sump for return of said lubricant to the latter, and means in. the base permitting and controlling a return flow of lubricant from the pocket laterally beyond and out of lubricant communication with the well.

AUGUST R. MAIER. JOHN M. SHIMER. 

